The Lagos State Government has issued a directive to yet-to-be-approved private schools operating in the state, ordering them to immediately begin the registration process with the Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA). This move is part of the government's efforts to ensure that all schools below the tertiary level meet the required standards and provide safe, compliant, and quality education to learners. The directive was issued by the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun.
According to Alli-Balogun, the state government is committed to sanitizing the education sector and will no longer tolerate the proliferation of yet-to-be-approved schools operating outside the state's regulatory framework. He disclosed that OEQA had organized two comprehensive training programs in 2026 for yet-to-be-approved schools on the approval process. The training aimed to simplify the requirements, provide practical guidance to proprietors, and make the process of obtaining approval easier and more transparent.
Alli-Balogun urged all affected schools to make use of the opportunity provided by the government and regularize their status without further delay. He expressed appreciation to private school owners for their continued partnership with the Lagos State Government in providing education to children across the state. Private schools remain important stakeholders in the implementation of the THEMES Plus Development Agenda, and the commissioner commended them for supporting the government's efforts to expand access to education.
The Director-General of OEQA, Dr. Sulaimon Ogunmuyiwa, emphasized that registration is mandatory for all private schools in line with the Lagos State Education Law. He appealed to proprietors of affected schools to comply with the directive, citing the importance of proper registration, documentation, and data capture for effective monitoring, quality assurance, and targeted intervention. Ogunmuyiwa explained that yet-to-be-approved private schools can submit their applications for registration at the OEQA office.
Ogunmuyiwa highlighted the benefits of registration, including official recognition and listing by the state government, eligibility for state and private-sector intervention initiatives, access to technical and financial support programs, and capacity-building opportunities for teachers. He added that registered schools would also have access to timely information on emerging policies, reforms, and opportunities in the education sector. The OEQA Director-General assured that the Lagos State Government remains committed to ensuring that every child in the state has access to safe, inclusive, compliant, and quality education.
The registration process is straightforward, with officers of the agency available to provide professional guidance to proprietors. According to Ogunmuyiwa, the Lagos State Government, under the leadership of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, is dedicated to achieving the education objectives of the THEMES Plus Development Agenda. The registration and approval of private schools remain an important step towards achieving these objectives.
The Lagos State Government has taken steps to support yet-to-be-approved schools, with over 800 schools trained this year alone. Alli-Balogun stressed that approval is not a witch-hunt but rather a measure to ensure the safety of children and the credibility of institutions. The government has done its part by engaging and training schools; now, it is up to proprietors to demonstrate compliance and a willingness to do the right thing.
Key points
- The Lagos State Government has directed yet-to-be-approved private schools to register with the Office of Education Quality Assurance.
- The registration process is mandatory for all private schools in line with the Lagos State Education Law.
- Registered schools will have access to official recognition, state and private-sector intervention initiatives, and capacity-building opportunities for teachers.
